Online Course Offerings

Service Learning in Rural Communities
The Heritage Institute / Antioch University Seattle – Cyber Course
ED429e, Summer 2006 – 5 Qtr Credits

Course Description

This course explores the theories and principles of contextual teaching and learning and service-learning through a blend of facilitated online discussion, readings, and hands on learning experiences. Participants will acquire the skills and knowledge to create authentic community based service-learning experiences. Participants will be provided the tools to apply these acquired skills to their local communities and their existing classroom curriculum, as well as gain a thorough understanding of the theoretical power of service-learning. Focus of the course will be on creating and sustaining community partnerships, meeting real community needs, and meeting academic standards through an overview of the essential elements of service-learning. This course is designed for all educational practitioners K-12.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course participants will:

• Demonstrate increased understanding and use of service-learning teaching and learning strategies to increase student performance/achievement.
• Identify and research a critical issue/authentic need in their community.
• Use service-learning strategies to meet State Academic Learning Requirements, State Learning Goals and Essential Elements of Service-Learning.
• Understand elements of exemplary service-learning programs through online interactions with guest speakers.
• Create and maintain a network of ongoing support through strategies developed through class participation.
• To expand your skills to use technology to support your own learning, as a tool for collaboration, planning, presenting, and assessing ; and on-line library resources to identify, locate, and retrieve information.

Instructions for Registering for this Course

Course Begins: July 20, 2006
Registration Deadline: July 10, 2006

To register for this course, please follow the instructions below:

1. Download the Heritage Registration form at www.hol.edu/pdf/2005_regform.pdf. Complete (making sure to indicate whether you are taking the course at 400 level, 500 level or for clock hours) and mail with a check for the level of course you are making made out to Susie Richards. Mail it to Susie Richards, P.O. Box 362, Freeland, WA 98249. Registration must be received by July 10, 2006.
2. Costs for the course are as follows:
   400 level: $175.00
   500 level: $200.00
   45 Clock Hours: $75.00
3. Once you have registered, go the "textbook" section of the syllabus and order the two required textbooks for the course. Directions for ordering are on the syllabus. You will need both textbooks at the beginning of the course (July 20, 2006.)
4. On July 10, 2006, we will send out login information to all registered participants for accessing the online course. Registered participants will be able to spend time exploring the site and asking any questions that come up.
5. Further information on the course will be posted on this website.
6. A class roster and other important start-up information will be posted on this site on July 10, 2006.

Required Textbooks for Course

These textbooks should be ordered once you send in your registration materials for the course:

• Getting Started in Service-Learning; Carole Klopp, Joan Liptrot, and Kristine Klopp ($12.00)
• Growing Hope: A Sourcebook on Integrating Youth Service into the School Curriculum; Rich Willits Cairn and Jim Kielsmeier, PhD, Eds ($10.00)

Textbooks can be ordered at the National Youth Leadership Council Website at www.nylc.org/publications.cfm.